FRAGMENT EXERCISES

(Note: The material gets progressively more difficult toward the end of this package)

I. Circle the letter of the sentence you think is correct:

1. A. After I had studied for two hours without stopping.

B. Studying hard for two hours without stopping.
C. I studied hard for two hours without stopping.

2. A. Always something of interest going on at their house.

B. There was always something of interest going on at their house.
C. Interesting things always going on at their house.

3. A. Taking her out once but forgetting her last name.

B. Even though he had taken her out once.
C. Even though he had taken her out once, he had forgotten her last name.

4. A. Making out a schedule is a good idea.

B. Although making out a schedule is a good idea.
C. A good idea to make out a schedule.

5. A. Paying off that bill, which I should have done long ago.
B. Not having paid off that bill long ago.
C. Paying off that bill should have been done long ago.

6. A. It is an idea that goes back to ancient Greece.

B. An idea that goes back to ancient Greece.
C. An idea going back to ancient Greece.

7. A. Which we all agreed to.

B. An idea we all agreed to.
C. It was an idea we all agreed to.

8. A. Just watching the exciting game on T.V.

B. Just watching the game on T.V. was exciting.
C. Just to watch the exciting game on T.V.

9. A. As if he knew what she was talking about.

B. Pretending he knew what she was talking about.
C. He pretended as if he knew what she was talking about.

10. A. My hobby being one not many people are interested in.
B. My hobby is not one many people are interested in.
C. A hobby that is not one many people are interested in.
II. Circle the letter of the sentence you think is incorrect:

1. A. After I had studied hard for two hours without stopping.

B. I studied hard for two hours without stopping.
C. Studying hard for two hours without stopping is exhausting.

2. A. Interesting things are always going on at their house.

B. Always something of interest going on at their house.
C. There are always interesting things going on at their house.

3. A. Even though he had taken her out once, he had forgotten her name.
B. He had taken her out once, but had forgotten her name.
C. Even though he had taken her out once, but had forgotten her name.

4. A. Since making out a schedule is a good idea.

B. A good idea is to make out a schedule.
C. Making out a schedule is a good idea.

5. A. I paid off that bill, which I should have done long ago.
B. I should have paid off that bill long ago.
C. That bill payment, which I should have done long ago.

6. A. It is an idea that goes back to ancient Greece.

B. This idea goes back to ancient Greece.
C. An idea that goes back to ancient Greece.

7. A. It had been an idea we all agreed to.

B. An idea that we had all been agreed upon.
C. We had all been agreed upon that idea.

8. A. Pretending he knew what she was talking about, he listened quietly.

B. As he listened quietly, he pretended he knew what she was talking about.
C. Pretending he knew what she was talking about and listening quietly.

9. A. Just watching the exciting game that was on T.V.

B. Just watching the game on T.V. was exciting.
C. Just watching the game on T.V. we were excited.

10. A. It is a hobby that not many people are interested in.

B. My hobby is not one many people are interested in.
C. A hobby of mine that not many people are interested in.
III. Write an "F" for fragment or an "S" for sentence in the blanks before each group of words.

1. Whenever you are ready to leave.

2. On the horizon the moon was just coming up.

3. That she was a conscientious person.

4. I enjoy writing letters.

5. Which is what I should have done long ago.

6. While he just stood there and waited.

7. It was on the shelf in the closet.

8. Since it had been snowing for days.

9. Beginning on Monday.

10. Going to games which we always lost.

11. Because I was also trying to use the phone.

12. Giving her the incentive that was needed.

13. When we realized what had happened.

14. Sitting there breathlessly watching all afternoon.

15. Speeding down the highway at 90 MPH.

16. After I heard the car door slam.

17. A political program that makes sense.

18. A book that explains how to make money fast.

19. If you want it, it will cost you.

20. If you like this rug, which we bought in Persia.

21. Horses which are fast.

22. A handle broken off a cup.

23. Whenever I see him.

24. Although class was over.

25. The bell rang as I left.

IV. Write an "F" for fragment or an "S" for sentence in the blanks before each group of words. If
either one is a fragment, combine it with the other, changing punctuation as necessary to
create a complete sentence.

1. Built over 1500 years ago. Some Roman roads are still in use.

2. The children seldom buy anything. They just like to wander about the
store.

3. I read the directions many times. Until I practically memorized

them.

4. Boone was friendly with the Indians. And learned many of their
ways.

5. Almost as soon as the bomber was produced. It became obsolete.

6. Cutting out the article. I mailed it to my friend.

7. Jane counted the people. To see if she had enough sandwiches.

8. Our problems are nothing. The Robinsons really have problems.

9. The ladder is made of aluminum. Which makes it easy to handle.

10. Besides being a great artist. Michelangelo was an engineer as well.

11. Of the many companies that go into business. Only a few survive.

12. Actors like to visit remote islands. Where they will not be
recognized.

13. After the Congress had passed the bill. The President vetoed it.

14. To get the best possible deal. Tracy compared prices at six stores.

15. Kelly didn’t believe the argument. That we couldn’t afford the
repair.

16. We arrived on time. Unfortunately the show was cancelled.

_ 17. Just because I totaled the car. I lost my insurance.

18. He left the game early. Knowing his team wouldn’t win.

19. In a sugary tone of voice. Hannah asked for a new car.

20. Exhausted by the long hot drive. We reached Omaha at midnight.

V. In the margin, write "F" for fragment or "S" for sentence. For the fragments, add words to
create a complete sentence.

1. Green is my favorite color.

2. While going there.

3. If I want to.

4. Which is not going to happen.

5. It is now almost over.

6. Ending yesterday.

7. When I knew she had gone.

8. The Mercedes with the blue top.

9. Peeling carrots forever.

10. I cut my finger instead of the carrot.

11. Because it might get infected.

12. Band-Aids that keep the moisture in.

13. Never to have carrots again.

14. Since my check was late.

15. That I gave it to him.

16. That is something I didn=t know..

17. After bombing the test.

18. If I don't study more.

19. Causing the economy to flounder.

20. In the bathtub was my watch.

21. Which is why I never go there.

22. Because he was going over the speed limit.

23. One writing text that doesn't look threatening.

24. You may take it, if you want.

25. That his score was the highest in the class.

VI. Write an "F" for fragment or an "S" for sentence in the blanks before each group of words. If
either one is a fragment, combine it with the other, changing punctuation as necessary to
create a complete sentence.

1. I rode so much the first day. That my callouses made me sit

two inches taller.

2. Muscles tend to deteriorate. Unless they are used.

3. Doing homework. Which seemed unnecessary.

4. Besides wanting a degree. I want to be rich.

5. The little boy followed his sister. Knowing she'd protect him.

6. Until you get this right. You must be patient.

7. Of all the people I know. You're the quietest.

8. Samuel F.B. Morse was an inventor. And a painter who

studied in Europe.

9. After painting the house. I rested and drank root beer.

10. Standing on his head. Made his face red.

11. My dog waits. To see if she can go too.

12. Corvettes are made of fiberglass. Which crushes easily.

13. I like to study. Where I won't be disturbed.

14. I lost my pencil. The only one I had.

15. My pay is too low. Because inflation is too high.

16. The tire was flat. A nail was in it.

17. Stunned by the blow. The bird dropped to the ground.

18. I like to eat. Where the food is cheap and good.

19. The teacher was terrible. But I liked the class anyway.

20. After it rained for three hours. Our tent flooded.

VII. Underline the fragment sentences and correct by omitting or adding words, changing
punctuation, and/or changing verb forms as required.

1. In the small French town. The town clerk spends two hours every day talking in the cafe to

friends. And reading different newspapers. The village doctor often drops in for an aperitif

when he is between calls. People from outlying sections of the valley who come to the

village only on official business often drop in for a drink. And leave news of events in their

neighborhoods. Through the cafe owner the postman relays messages. Which he has

received while on his route. With these and many other sources of information at his

disposal. The cafe owner usually knows better than anyone else in the village the news of

community.

2. Mount St. Helens erupted Tuesday for the fourth time in nine months. Sending a billowing,

buff-colored cloud 40,000 feet into the sky. The eruption followed a day of increasing

earthquake activity under the mountain's north flank. This activity was similar to the tremors

before the volcano's cataclysmic May 18 explosion. Which ripped 1300 feet off the

mountain's summit. One geologist said the eruption that occurred yesterday was not as big

as the May 18 eruption. Which left 64 persons dead or missing. The geologist also said that

he was not sure whether the volcano spewed rock or gas. Or whether the eruption was

accompanied by the flow of lava.

3. American politics, at both the state and the Federal levels, is too much concerned with the

protection of large fortunes. America being the only example in history of a genuine

timocracy, that is, a state based on wealth and property ownership. The wealth qualification

for the aspiring politician is taken for granted. A governmental system dedicated to the

promotion of personal wealth in a few selected areas which, however, will never act in the

public good. The time has come for citizens to demand from their government a measure of

socialization. The provision of amenities such as adequate state pensions and sickness

benefits being the priority.

■ Answers
I. 1C, 2B, 3C, 4A, 5C 6A, 7C, 8B, 9C,10B

II. 1A, 2B, 3C, 4A, 5C 6C, 7B, 8C, 9A, 10C

III. 1F, 2S, 3F, 4S, 5F 6F, 7S, 8F, 9F, 10F 11F,
12F, 13F, 14F, 15F 16F, 17F, 18F, 19S, 20F
21F, 22F, 23F, 24F, 25S

IV. 1FS, 2SS, 3SF, 4SF, 5FS 6FS, 7SF, 8SS, 9SF, 10FS 11FS,

12SF, 13FS, 14FS, 15SF 16SS, 17FS, 18SF, 19FS, 20FS

V. 1S, 2F, 3F, 4F, 5S 6F, 7F, 8F, 9F, 10S 11F,
12F, 13F, 14F, 15F 16S, 17F, 18F, 19F, 20S
21F, 22F, 23F, 24S, 25F

VI. 1FF, 2SF, 3FF, 4FS, 5SF 6FS, 7FS, 8SP, 9FS, 10FF 11SF,

12SF, 13SF, 14SF, 15SF 16SS, 17FS, 18SF,10SF, 20FS

VII. In the small French town, the town clerk spends two hours every day talking in the cafe to friends and
reading different newspapers. The village doctor often drops in for an aperitif when he is between
calls. People from outlying sections of the valley who come to the village only on official business
often drop in for a drink and leave news of events in their neighborhoods. Through the cafe owner the
postman relays messages which he has received while on his route. With these and many other
sources of information at his disposal, the cafe owner usually knows better than anyone else in the
village the news of community.

Mount St. Helens erupted Tuesday for the fourth time in nine months, sending a billowing, buff-
colored cloud 40,000 feet into the sky. The eruption followed a day of increasing earthquake activity
under the mountain's north flank. This activity was similar to the tremors before the volcano's
cataclysmic May 18 explosion, which ripped 1300 feet off the mountain's summit. One geologist said
the eruption that occurred yesterday was not as big as the May 18 eruption which left 64 persons dead
or missing. The geologist also said that he was not sure whether the volcano spewed rock or gas or
whether the eruption was accompanied by the flow of lava.

American politics, at both the state and the Federal levels, is too much concerned with the protection
of large fortunes. America is the only example in history of a genuine timocracy, that is, a state based
on wealth and property ownership. The wealth qualification for the aspiring politician is taken for
granted. A governmental system dedicated to the promotion of personal wealth in a few selected areas,
however, will never act in the public good. The time has come for citizens to demand from their
government a measure of socialization. The provision of amenities such as adequate state pensions and
sickness benefits should be the priority,

Last Revised Fall 2016

Pocatello
ISU Writing Center Idaho Falls
REND 323
Student Success Center CHE 220
208-282-4823
www.isu.edu/success/writing 2082-7925